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HP is unleashing two new PCs going after the creative professional and gamers alike.  Called the HP Firebird with VoodooDNA, there will be two models: the 802 and the 803.

The Firebird 802 Specs

• Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9400
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition with Service Pack 1
• Dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800S graphics cards in SLI configuration
• Factory-sealed liquid cooling system
• 4GB DDR2 memory
• Hot-swappable 500GB dual hard drives (2 x 250GB)
• Slim, slot-loading DVD±R/RW optical drive
• External 350W power supply

The Firebird 803 Specs

• Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition with Service Pack 1
• Dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800S graphics cards in SLI configuration
• Factory-sealed liquid cooling system
• 4GB DDR2 memory
• Hot-swappable 640GB dual hard drives (2 x 320GB)
• Slot-load Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner optical drive
• External 350W power supply

Now, Gadgetell got an early look at the HP Firebird a couple of months ago and we’ve got some information you won’t find in the press releases.  We spoke to the CTO for HP’s Global Gaming Business, Rahul Sood, extensively about the Firebird. 

He called it a hybrid desktop.  The computer actually uses some laptop components.  The graphics cards use MXM.  MXM was a laptop standard and HP worked with NVIDIA to expand MXM to a larger size.  The Firebird has two discrete graphics cards and one integrated graphics card; they can be switched on the fly to get the computer the power it needs.

The Firebird we saw also had 2.5-inch hard drives instead of the standard 3.5-inch that is found in most desktops.  The drives are very easily accessible, but I find it very strange that a computer that is aimed at creative types would have 2.5-inch drives since they are usually smaller in capacity than their 3.5-inch counterparts.

There is room for external expansion thanks to the Firebird’s 6 USB ports and 2 eSATA connections.  There are no PCI slots, nor PCI express slots.  That’s where the USB ports come in handy.  Additionally, there is an Express Card slot in the back.

The wedge shape is reminiscent of the Blackbird and it is very stylish.  Unfortunately, you can’t just place external drives on top of the Firebird because of its shape. 

The Firebird is also supposed to be very energy conscious and looks to bring excellent performance without requiring a lot of power.  Rahul was very proud of the fact this PC only requires a 350W power supply.  The external 350W external power supply is about the size of three CD cases. 

The liquid cooled Firebird is extremely quiet.  When I got a chance to see it, I didn’t even realize it was on.  HP may have a winner on its hands.  We’ll see how the public likes it. 

Read [HP.com]